What do you think?
Rate this book
We Love to Entertain
A fast-paced, riveting psychological thriller that skewers our modern obsession with home renovation and fixer-uppers.
Holly and Robert Barron are attractive young real-estate investors and contestants in a competition run by To the Manor Build, the nation’s most popular home renovation app. With millions in product endorsements and online followers at stake, they’re rehabbing a Vermont home they scored at a bargain price into a chic hilltop estate ideal for entertaining.
It’s all camera-ready laughs and debates over herringbone tile until Holly and Robert go missing hours after their picture-perfect wedding—leaving behind a bloody trail.
Suspicion falls quickly on Erika Turnbull, the Barrons’ twenty-something assistant—eager, efficient, and secretly in love with Robert. Did Erika let her misguided passion turn her into a murderer? So claim the townsfolk of Snowden, Vermont, who still haven’t forgiven her for a tragic accident back in high school.
But Erika’s mother, Kim, is not about to let small-town gossip and a cop with an axe to grind destroy her daughter—again. With time running out and their own lives at risk, the mother-daughter duo set out to find what really happened to the Barrons. First, though, they’ll have to confront the vengeful former owner of Holly and Robert’s estate, ruthless reality-show producers, and a secret that might bring their own house down.
Holly and Robert Barron are attractive young real-estate investors and contestants in a competition run by To the Manor Build, the nation’s most popular home renovation app. With millions in product endorsements and online followers at stake, they’re rehabbing a Vermont home they scored at a bargain price into a chic hilltop estate ideal for entertaining.
It’s all camera-ready laughs and debates over herringbone tile until Holly and Robert go missing hours after their picture-perfect wedding—leaving behind a bloody trail.
Suspicion falls quickly on Erika Turnbull, the Barrons’ twenty-something assistant—eager, efficient, and secretly in love with Robert. Did Erika let her misguided passion turn her into a murderer? So claim the townsfolk of Snowden, Vermont, who still haven’t forgiven her for a tragic accident back in high school.
But Erika’s mother, Kim, is not about to let small-town gossip and a cop with an axe to grind destroy her daughter—again. With time running out and their own lives at risk, the mother-daughter duo set out to find what really happened to the Barrons. First, though, they’ll have to confront the vengeful former owner of Holly and Robert’s estate, ruthless reality-show producers, and a secret that might bring their own house down.
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2023
172 people are currently reading
16065 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Strohmeyer
26 books1,271 followersSarah Strohmeyer is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of 18 novels for young adults and adults, including the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series, SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT and THE CINDERELLA PACT, which became the Lifetime Movie, LYING TO BE PERFECT.
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and Romantic TImes Award for Best First Mystery. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
BUBBLES REBOOTS - #7 in the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series - will be published June 26th in Kindle, Nook and Kobo (pre-order now!) It is an homage to her dearly departed high-school friend, Josh Simon. So 10% of the profits will go to organizations he approved: The Cancer Research Institute & Planned Parenthood.
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and Romantic TImes Award for Best First Mystery. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
BUBBLES REBOOTS - #7 in the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series - will be published June 26th in Kindle, Nook and Kobo (pre-order now!) It is an homage to her dearly departed high-school friend, Josh Simon. So 10% of the profits will go to organizations he approved: The Cancer Research Institute & Planned Parenthood.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews
November 10, 2023
This is interesting cozy mystery revolving around missing power couple of home improvement contest with small town vibes, lots of dirty secrets, scheming, dysfunctional family relations, social media comments.
I honestly have a little hard time to invest in this story because I didn’t really connect with twenty-something assistant, town’s pariah Erika Turnbull, who is hopelessly in love with her boss, also presumed person of interest and the second narrator: town clerk: Kim, mother of Erika, who wants to protect her daughter by solving the mystery behind the missing couple.
The story opens with the introduction of Holly Simmons and Robert Barron: the most popular one of the three couples facing off in most rated competition on To the Manor Build that shows the world their fabulous rehabs.
The star couple plans to tie the knot on a viral wedding event. Their assistant Erika dashes out to finish all the tasks she’s given including gathering the very illegal cigar stash of Robert she’s having long time crush. And her mother/ town clerk Kim is going to officiate the wedding as Erika reluctantly may walk the aisle as bridesmaid even though she fantasizes to be the bride who kisses Robert passionately! Poor love sick girl!
After the wedding, Robert stops by Erika’s house( she’s living in tiny studio at the top of her mother’s garage) for briefing her: Holly and he is going to take a break to drive to Montreal for surprising honeymoon. He borrows her Kia and without giving more explanation he drives away.
Now they’re missing for hours, leaving behind a bloody trail as all eyes turn on Erika: who is accused to kill them fir crime of passion.
Townies didn’t forget Erika’s connection with a traumatic incident she’s involved when she was in high school. A police officer holding grudge has every intention to put her behind bars. She has to team up with her mother to prove her innocence by investigating vengeful former owner of Barrons’ estate, merciless reality show producers who can do anything to get higher ratings.
Overall: I’m not a big fan of cozy mysteries and unfortunately I didn’t connect with both of the narrators. Writing style was smart. Dry humor entertained me. I’m giving my three solid stars. Highly recommended it to the genre lovers, the readers who look for entertaining popcorn reading!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Harper Paperbacks for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
I honestly have a little hard time to invest in this story because I didn’t really connect with twenty-something assistant, town’s pariah Erika Turnbull, who is hopelessly in love with her boss, also presumed person of interest and the second narrator: town clerk: Kim, mother of Erika, who wants to protect her daughter by solving the mystery behind the missing couple.
The story opens with the introduction of Holly Simmons and Robert Barron: the most popular one of the three couples facing off in most rated competition on To the Manor Build that shows the world their fabulous rehabs.
The star couple plans to tie the knot on a viral wedding event. Their assistant Erika dashes out to finish all the tasks she’s given including gathering the very illegal cigar stash of Robert she’s having long time crush. And her mother/ town clerk Kim is going to officiate the wedding as Erika reluctantly may walk the aisle as bridesmaid even though she fantasizes to be the bride who kisses Robert passionately! Poor love sick girl!
After the wedding, Robert stops by Erika’s house( she’s living in tiny studio at the top of her mother’s garage) for briefing her: Holly and he is going to take a break to drive to Montreal for surprising honeymoon. He borrows her Kia and without giving more explanation he drives away.
Now they’re missing for hours, leaving behind a bloody trail as all eyes turn on Erika: who is accused to kill them fir crime of passion.
Townies didn’t forget Erika’s connection with a traumatic incident she’s involved when she was in high school. A police officer holding grudge has every intention to put her behind bars. She has to team up with her mother to prove her innocence by investigating vengeful former owner of Barrons’ estate, merciless reality show producers who can do anything to get higher ratings.
Overall: I’m not a big fan of cozy mysteries and unfortunately I didn’t connect with both of the narrators. Writing style was smart. Dry humor entertained me. I’m giving my three solid stars. Highly recommended it to the genre lovers, the readers who look for entertaining popcorn reading!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Harper Paperbacks for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
May 8, 2023
We Love to Entertain by Sarah Strohmeyer is marketed as a psychological thriller but I found this one fell more into suspense category. The story in We Love to Entertain is one that is told by changing the point of view between the characters as the story goes along.
Holly and Robert Barron are reality TV real-estate investors who have entered a competition with their current rehab project. The pair are also getting married in front of the cameras but after the wedding Holly and Robert Barron disappear leaving their assistant, Erika Turnbull, who has had a crush on her boss the only suspect in the disappearance.
We Love to Entertain by Sarah Strohmeyer is one of those books that I went into it expecting something different than what I found. Sometimes that’s not so bad sometimes it’s disappointing which is where this one leaned towards. The story was also slower than what I expected and I never really connected with the characters the way I expected too leaving this one in the average area at two and a half stars for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Holly and Robert Barron are reality TV real-estate investors who have entered a competition with their current rehab project. The pair are also getting married in front of the cameras but after the wedding Holly and Robert Barron disappear leaving their assistant, Erika Turnbull, who has had a crush on her boss the only suspect in the disappearance.
We Love to Entertain by Sarah Strohmeyer is one of those books that I went into it expecting something different than what I found. Sometimes that’s not so bad sometimes it’s disappointing which is where this one leaned towards. The story was also slower than what I expected and I never really connected with the characters the way I expected too leaving this one in the average area at two and a half stars for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 3, 2023
New to the small town of Snowden, Vermont, Holly and Robert Barron are in the midst of building their dream home on a property they managed to steal for a bargain price. Adding to the excitement, however, is the fact that they are also one of three teams vying to win the esteemed competition, To the Manor Build. If they’re lucky enough to win, they could walk away with their own home show and millions of dollars in product endorsements, a fact that seems too good to be true.
Helping them on their path to riches and fame is local girl, Erika Turnball. Thrilled to be working alongside the stunningly handsome couple, she has scored the primo job of assisting Holly and Robert in both the contest and their build. But when, mere hours after the golden couple’s lavish wedding, Holly and Robert vanish into thin air, all suspicion quickly falls at Erika’s feet. Between her not so secret obsession with Robert and her already tainted reputation within Snowden after a tragic accident years ago, the locals are quick to think the worst.
When no one in town, including the police, are interested in looking far beyond Erika for the culprit, her mother, Kim, realizes it’s down to her to sniff out the truth. After all, gossip nearly destroyed her daughter once. She’s not about to let it happen again. But as Kim delves into the circumstances surrounding the Barrons’ disappearance, she must first battle the erratic former owner of Holly and Robert’s property as well as the deep, dark secret already swirling around Kim herself. Can she uncover what really happened before the police close in? Or, even worse, the crosshairs turn on Erika as well?
Well, for once the reviews were right. We Love to Entertain was nothing like I expected, but not necessarily in a good way, to be frank. While billed as a psychological thriller, I would rather classify it as a slow burn suspense novel. Primarily alternating between Erika and Kim’s POVs, there was little ratcheting tension like I had hoped for. Instead, the superfluous design details and unnecessary Reddit posts that were thrust in between chapters added unnecessary pages to a promising premise that didn’t quite deliver.
At the same time, I couldn’t, for the life of me, work out where the plot was headed. With a multitude of red herrings and just enough suspects to keep me guessing, the twist well and truly had my jaw on the floor. I don’t know if I personally would’ve delivered it how Strohmeyer did, as it was mildly confusing at the outset, but when I was finally able to piece it all together, the unexpected turn of events truly was a hit.
I do have to say, however, that I would’ve loved to get Holly and Robert’s sides of the story. Perhaps in addition to Kim and Erika’s, the storyline would’ve felt more fleshed out and complete. After all, with a bit more background and lots more character development, seeing it through their eyes (with plenty of misdirection), would have provided the opportunity for a more well rounded plot. But then again, that’s just this lone non-writer’s take.
But what I think disappointed me the most was how minimally the competition aspect was explored. With that and only a glancing view into the world of a design influencer, what could’ve been a major selling point instead led to mild disappointment. While overall I did find myself intrigued from the very first page (the prologue was an attention grabber to be sure), it just didn’t live up to my expectations. Nevertheless, I flew through the pages, finding it a mostly fun, easy read, even if it did somewhat disappoint.
At the end of the day, however, I’ve been going back and forth on whether I recommend it or not. Part of me enjoyed the ride, just maybe not as much as I had hoped. So perhaps give it a try, but if you’re not enjoying it, maybe don’t hold out hope for the last minute climax or brief conclusion to rescue it in the least. Rating of 3 stars.
Trigger warning: mailed death threats, stalking, kidnapping, mention of: domestic abuse, traumatic brain injury, fatal car accident, accidental electrocution
Helping them on their path to riches and fame is local girl, Erika Turnball. Thrilled to be working alongside the stunningly handsome couple, she has scored the primo job of assisting Holly and Robert in both the contest and their build. But when, mere hours after the golden couple’s lavish wedding, Holly and Robert vanish into thin air, all suspicion quickly falls at Erika’s feet. Between her not so secret obsession with Robert and her already tainted reputation within Snowden after a tragic accident years ago, the locals are quick to think the worst.
When no one in town, including the police, are interested in looking far beyond Erika for the culprit, her mother, Kim, realizes it’s down to her to sniff out the truth. After all, gossip nearly destroyed her daughter once. She’s not about to let it happen again. But as Kim delves into the circumstances surrounding the Barrons’ disappearance, she must first battle the erratic former owner of Holly and Robert’s property as well as the deep, dark secret already swirling around Kim herself. Can she uncover what really happened before the police close in? Or, even worse, the crosshairs turn on Erika as well?
Well, for once the reviews were right. We Love to Entertain was nothing like I expected, but not necessarily in a good way, to be frank. While billed as a psychological thriller, I would rather classify it as a slow burn suspense novel. Primarily alternating between Erika and Kim’s POVs, there was little ratcheting tension like I had hoped for. Instead, the superfluous design details and unnecessary Reddit posts that were thrust in between chapters added unnecessary pages to a promising premise that didn’t quite deliver.
At the same time, I couldn’t, for the life of me, work out where the plot was headed. With a multitude of red herrings and just enough suspects to keep me guessing, the twist well and truly had my jaw on the floor. I don’t know if I personally would’ve delivered it how Strohmeyer did, as it was mildly confusing at the outset, but when I was finally able to piece it all together, the unexpected turn of events truly was a hit.
I do have to say, however, that I would’ve loved to get Holly and Robert’s sides of the story. Perhaps in addition to Kim and Erika’s, the storyline would’ve felt more fleshed out and complete. After all, with a bit more background and lots more character development, seeing it through their eyes (with plenty of misdirection), would have provided the opportunity for a more well rounded plot. But then again, that’s just this lone non-writer’s take.
But what I think disappointed me the most was how minimally the competition aspect was explored. With that and only a glancing view into the world of a design influencer, what could’ve been a major selling point instead led to mild disappointment. While overall I did find myself intrigued from the very first page (the prologue was an attention grabber to be sure), it just didn’t live up to my expectations. Nevertheless, I flew through the pages, finding it a mostly fun, easy read, even if it did somewhat disappoint.
At the end of the day, however, I’ve been going back and forth on whether I recommend it or not. Part of me enjoyed the ride, just maybe not as much as I had hoped. So perhaps give it a try, but if you’re not enjoying it, maybe don’t hold out hope for the last minute climax or brief conclusion to rescue it in the least. Rating of 3 stars.
Trigger warning: mailed death threats, stalking, kidnapping, mention of: domestic abuse, traumatic brain injury, fatal car accident, accidental electrocution
March 10, 2023
We Love to Entertain is a 2023 suspense novel written by Sarah Strohmeyer, a new author to me that I found on NetGalley. I liked the premise and was gifted a copy, which hit my queue this week. A homebuilding / decor show based in Vermont - totally up my alley, especially when it contains murder and mystery. I wonder what that says about me... ah, to digress... that said, interesting characters with a bit of edge. At times, they were too on the nose but Erika was a great protagonist. I rooted for her all the way. While the culprit(s) are mostly obvious, it's still entertaining. A few things left open at the end, not in a bad way but that could've tied things together nicely. I'm giving it 3.5 stars because at times, it used too many plot devices to move the story along which felt inserted in an obvious and unnatural manner. For example, the waitress at the wedding is a clue but I still don't know what it had to do with the story. Also, there is tension with the mother and a backstory for the daughter and the father that are supposed to add intrigue yet don't end up anywhere. With some more focus to detail, this would've stood out even more as a great thriller. I'll read another book from the author to see if this was a fluke or just the author's style... which may work for some people. Enjoyed it tho and glad I read it.
April 30, 2023
I had so much fun listening to We Love to Entertain by Sarah Strohmeyer, and I enjoyed it a bit more than her previous novel Do I Know You? The plot and storyline were really easy to follow, and I loved that it is based on a home renovation competition since I love all things HGTV along with reality TV. There are a number of viewpoints, but I thought that the characters were all so different and unique that I never found them blending together and they were easy to keep straight. I got a real kick out of Erika's mom Kim, and she was probably my favorite character of them all with her smarts and quick wit.
As mentioned, I listened to the audio and was thrilled it provided me with a full cast. Vivienne Leheny, Caitlin Davies, Megan Tusing & Jamie Renell were all spot-on picks for their characters and brought the story to life in an impressive way. I saw a few reviewers call this a cozy mystery, but I can't say I agree based on other cozies I have read in comparison to this one. I also don't think it is a full-on thriller since I didn't have the 'thrills' I would expect to get from one. Instead, I would consider We Love to Entertain more of a suspense/domestic fiction/mystery set against the backdrop of a reality TV show competition. I loved the uniqueness of the premise, and the cover is really eye-catching as well! I will be holding onto this for a future reread and would 100% recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
As mentioned, I listened to the audio and was thrilled it provided me with a full cast. Vivienne Leheny, Caitlin Davies, Megan Tusing & Jamie Renell were all spot-on picks for their characters and brought the story to life in an impressive way. I saw a few reviewers call this a cozy mystery, but I can't say I agree based on other cozies I have read in comparison to this one. I also don't think it is a full-on thriller since I didn't have the 'thrills' I would expect to get from one. Instead, I would consider We Love to Entertain more of a suspense/domestic fiction/mystery set against the backdrop of a reality TV show competition. I loved the uniqueness of the premise, and the cover is really eye-catching as well! I will be holding onto this for a future reread and would 100% recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 16, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: April 25, 2023
The home competition show, “To the Manor Build” pits together real estate contractor pairs who each are responsible for building their own sprawling manor. The winner gets all costs covered by the network, and all the fame and fortune that comes with it. When Holly and Robert pair up, they can’t avoid the attraction and soon the insta-famous couple are streaming their wedding, filmed on the very grounds of their newly built home. When the two leave abruptly to start a clandestine honeymoon, no one raises a red flag until deadlines are due and neither Robert or Holly have been heard from in days. Missing and presumed dead, the public instantly targets the couple’s assistant, Erika, who has a mysterious past of her own. Erika’s mother, Kim, is the small town’s mayor and she knows her daughter has made mistakes, but she couldn’t possibly be responsible for the disappearance. However, when no one else believes her, she sets out on her own to prove her daughter’s innocence.
Sarah Strohmeyer came onto my radar with her novel, “Do I Know You?”, her first adult novel after penning several YA novels, and I was eager to get the chance to read her newest work, “We Love to Entertain”.
I am an HGTV addict so I loved the home renovation plot for this novel, and Robert and Holly were the perfect couple to feature on a show like this (vapid, shallow and completely unrelatable). Erika is more likable and Strohmeyer keeps an intrigue about Erika, teasing the secrets of her past without fully revealing them until the final chapters. The novel is narrated almost exclusively by Erika, with tidbits from her mother, Kim. Each chapter opens with a blurb from Holly and Robert’s blog, mostly written by Holly, meant to allow readers to get to know the reality stars, in all of their millennial-speaking glory.
“Entertain” has piles of suspenseful twists and turns, and Strohmeyer easily pulls her audience along from one plot twist to the next. Considering all of the characters and changes in perspective that the novel allows, the flow is seamless and I flew through the pages.
The ending is as it should be, providing a satisfying conclusion with no loose ends. This is a suspense novel for the modern reader, full of influencers, social media “personas” and reality TV but with enough background depth to make the novel digestible and actually enjoyable. Strohmeyer delivers a clever, modern and unique dose of high velocity intrigue with “We Love to Entertain”!
Expected publication date: April 25, 2023
The home competition show, “To the Manor Build” pits together real estate contractor pairs who each are responsible for building their own sprawling manor. The winner gets all costs covered by the network, and all the fame and fortune that comes with it. When Holly and Robert pair up, they can’t avoid the attraction and soon the insta-famous couple are streaming their wedding, filmed on the very grounds of their newly built home. When the two leave abruptly to start a clandestine honeymoon, no one raises a red flag until deadlines are due and neither Robert or Holly have been heard from in days. Missing and presumed dead, the public instantly targets the couple’s assistant, Erika, who has a mysterious past of her own. Erika’s mother, Kim, is the small town’s mayor and she knows her daughter has made mistakes, but she couldn’t possibly be responsible for the disappearance. However, when no one else believes her, she sets out on her own to prove her daughter’s innocence.
Sarah Strohmeyer came onto my radar with her novel, “Do I Know You?”, her first adult novel after penning several YA novels, and I was eager to get the chance to read her newest work, “We Love to Entertain”.
I am an HGTV addict so I loved the home renovation plot for this novel, and Robert and Holly were the perfect couple to feature on a show like this (vapid, shallow and completely unrelatable). Erika is more likable and Strohmeyer keeps an intrigue about Erika, teasing the secrets of her past without fully revealing them until the final chapters. The novel is narrated almost exclusively by Erika, with tidbits from her mother, Kim. Each chapter opens with a blurb from Holly and Robert’s blog, mostly written by Holly, meant to allow readers to get to know the reality stars, in all of their millennial-speaking glory.
“Entertain” has piles of suspenseful twists and turns, and Strohmeyer easily pulls her audience along from one plot twist to the next. Considering all of the characters and changes in perspective that the novel allows, the flow is seamless and I flew through the pages.
The ending is as it should be, providing a satisfying conclusion with no loose ends. This is a suspense novel for the modern reader, full of influencers, social media “personas” and reality TV but with enough background depth to make the novel digestible and actually enjoyable. Strohmeyer delivers a clever, modern and unique dose of high velocity intrigue with “We Love to Entertain”!
May 16, 2023
✨𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖✨
Thank you #partners @harpercollins and @bibliolifestyle for the gifted copy.
𝗪𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻
𝗕𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗵𝗺𝗲𝘆𝗲𝗿
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟰/𝟮𝟱/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Holly and Robert Barron are attractive young real-estate investors and contestants in a competition run by To the Manor Build, the nation’s most popular home renovation app. With millions in product endorsements and online followers at stake, they’re rehabbing a Vermont home they scored at a bargain price into a chic hilltop estate ideal for entertaining.
It’s all camera-ready laughs and debates over herringbone tile until Holly and Robert go missing hours after their picture-perfect wedding—leaving behind a bloody trail.
Suspicion falls quickly on Erika Turnbull, the Barrons’ twenty-something assistant—eager, efficient, and secretly in love with Robert. Did Erika let her misguided passion turn her into a murderer? So claim the townsfolk of Snowden, Vermont, who still haven’t forgiven her for a tragic accident back in high school.
But Erika’s mother, Kim, is not about to let small-town gossip and a cop with an axe to grind destroy her daughter—again. With time running out and their own lives at risk, the mother-daughter duo set out to find what really happened to the Barrons. First, though, they’ll have to confront the vengeful former owner of Holly and Robert’s estate, ruthless reality-show producers, and a secret that might bring their own house down.
💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: Whewwwwy what a wild ride, with unexpected turns all along the way! Im not sure why this is sitting in the low 3s on Goodreads, but I really enjoyed it and binged it in one day!
I've read a lot of thrillers but never one with an HGTV-style theme - such a unique read! We Love to Entertain is a smart, riveting, psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing until the very end. I listened to some of this on audio and the full cast of narrators did an excellent job! 👏🏻 Definitely recommend the audiobook format.
We Love to Entertain is out now!
Thank you #partners @harpercollins and @bibliolifestyle for the gifted copy.
𝗪𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻
𝗕𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗵𝗺𝗲𝘆𝗲𝗿
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟰/𝟮𝟱/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Holly and Robert Barron are attractive young real-estate investors and contestants in a competition run by To the Manor Build, the nation’s most popular home renovation app. With millions in product endorsements and online followers at stake, they’re rehabbing a Vermont home they scored at a bargain price into a chic hilltop estate ideal for entertaining.
It’s all camera-ready laughs and debates over herringbone tile until Holly and Robert go missing hours after their picture-perfect wedding—leaving behind a bloody trail.
Suspicion falls quickly on Erika Turnbull, the Barrons’ twenty-something assistant—eager, efficient, and secretly in love with Robert. Did Erika let her misguided passion turn her into a murderer? So claim the townsfolk of Snowden, Vermont, who still haven’t forgiven her for a tragic accident back in high school.
But Erika’s mother, Kim, is not about to let small-town gossip and a cop with an axe to grind destroy her daughter—again. With time running out and their own lives at risk, the mother-daughter duo set out to find what really happened to the Barrons. First, though, they’ll have to confront the vengeful former owner of Holly and Robert’s estate, ruthless reality-show producers, and a secret that might bring their own house down.
💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: Whewwwwy what a wild ride, with unexpected turns all along the way! Im not sure why this is sitting in the low 3s on Goodreads, but I really enjoyed it and binged it in one day!
I've read a lot of thrillers but never one with an HGTV-style theme - such a unique read! We Love to Entertain is a smart, riveting, psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing until the very end. I listened to some of this on audio and the full cast of narrators did an excellent job! 👏🏻 Definitely recommend the audiobook format.
We Love to Entertain is out now!
April 29, 2023
“Details flit in and out of my brain like butterflies through a field. Nothing sticks.”
Most of the time, book reviewers don’t quote from an ARC, because things in the book can change before publication. I’m going to just hope this quote was left in the final version, because at times, it was the perfect way to describe my experience of reading this book.
Holly and Robert are one of three couples on a home improvement show, “To the Manor Build”. The show takes people who want to renovate a property, films them for the months-long process, then the voted-upon winner gets back all the money they put into the home. Robert found a house in Vermont at a tax auction, and bought it for a mere $8500. He turned it into a completely emission-free home, using expensive technology with the hope that they’d win and get their money back. Well, his money back.
You see, Holly and Robert (or H&R as they are known online) only met because of the show. They were professional, then friendly, then - as the show played out - they fell in love and got married (another bonus episode for TMB). The night of their wedding, Robert ends up at their assistant Erika’s house. He wants to take Holly up to Montreal for a small honeymoon, but is worried there wouldn’t be charging stations for his Tesla, so he asks to trade cars. Erika is adamant they not go - this is the final week of the show! The big reveal! So much still needs to be done, but Robert insists they’ll be back in a couple days.
After they leave, they go incommunicado, which is where the mystery and suspense come into play. Why are they risking blowing their chance at winning the show? Why couldn’t they honeymoon the next week? Why are they not getting in touch with anyone? Erika is trying to keep everything going, but she’s getting (rightfully) worried. After six days, hope was definitely fading…
I thought this storyline was good, and the writing was decent. The ending was great and pretty unexpected. I think my problem with this book is the quote from above - it was very long-winded and had a few unnecessary characters, and I started to lose sight of the point a few times. Overall though, especially if you don’t mind a slow book, this is a pretty decent one. 3.5 stars, rounded up because I loved the HGTV vibes, Reddit threads and other media scattered throughout.
(Thank you to Harper Collins, Sarah Strohmeyer and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
Most of the time, book reviewers don’t quote from an ARC, because things in the book can change before publication. I’m going to just hope this quote was left in the final version, because at times, it was the perfect way to describe my experience of reading this book.
Holly and Robert are one of three couples on a home improvement show, “To the Manor Build”. The show takes people who want to renovate a property, films them for the months-long process, then the voted-upon winner gets back all the money they put into the home. Robert found a house in Vermont at a tax auction, and bought it for a mere $8500. He turned it into a completely emission-free home, using expensive technology with the hope that they’d win and get their money back. Well, his money back.
You see, Holly and Robert (or H&R as they are known online) only met because of the show. They were professional, then friendly, then - as the show played out - they fell in love and got married (another bonus episode for TMB). The night of their wedding, Robert ends up at their assistant Erika’s house. He wants to take Holly up to Montreal for a small honeymoon, but is worried there wouldn’t be charging stations for his Tesla, so he asks to trade cars. Erika is adamant they not go - this is the final week of the show! The big reveal! So much still needs to be done, but Robert insists they’ll be back in a couple days.
After they leave, they go incommunicado, which is where the mystery and suspense come into play. Why are they risking blowing their chance at winning the show? Why couldn’t they honeymoon the next week? Why are they not getting in touch with anyone? Erika is trying to keep everything going, but she’s getting (rightfully) worried. After six days, hope was definitely fading…
I thought this storyline was good, and the writing was decent. The ending was great and pretty unexpected. I think my problem with this book is the quote from above - it was very long-winded and had a few unnecessary characters, and I started to lose sight of the point a few times. Overall though, especially if you don’t mind a slow book, this is a pretty decent one. 3.5 stars, rounded up because I loved the HGTV vibes, Reddit threads and other media scattered throughout.
(Thank you to Harper Collins, Sarah Strohmeyer and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
March 10, 2023
You are going to enjoy this one. A home of their dreams could prove to be a nightmare. What could go wrong. This made me want to dive right in and it entertained me until the very end. I recommend this 4 star read.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
March 27, 2023
Thank you to the author Sarah Strohmeyer, publishers Harper Perennial and Harper Paperback, and as always NetGalley, for an advance digital copy of WE LOVE TO ENTERTAIN.
Kim is the clerk of courts for a small mountain town, and her daughter Erika charms her way into being a director's assistant on the set of the home improvement TV series, set to film locally for the new season. But when the hosts, Robert and Holly, and then Kim's daughter Erika, go missing, Kim has to take stock of her own secrets involving the very house being remodeled for the show, and the hosts' secrets. It couldn't just be coincidence the would hire a young girl that looks just like Holly, could it?
Maybe you can tell from the description I provided, but this story is a bit convoluted. It's still fun, I really love Kim's development, but it meanders. It moves slowly, also. Not every storyline calls for an aggressive tone and pace though, and this one did okay at a plod. I do wish there had been more evidence connecting the information given with the resolution, however. I was very surprised at the end, but in the wtf kind of way! I still enjoyed this one.
Rating: 💒💒💒 / 5 weddings
Recommend? Yes
Finished: March 26 2023
Read this if you like:
💜 Mary Kubica
🏚 Real estate design
🤷♀️ Mystery thrillers
Kim is the clerk of courts for a small mountain town, and her daughter Erika charms her way into being a director's assistant on the set of the home improvement TV series, set to film locally for the new season. But when the hosts, Robert and Holly, and then Kim's daughter Erika, go missing, Kim has to take stock of her own secrets involving the very house being remodeled for the show, and the hosts' secrets. It couldn't just be coincidence the would hire a young girl that looks just like Holly, could it?
Maybe you can tell from the description I provided, but this story is a bit convoluted. It's still fun, I really love Kim's development, but it meanders. It moves slowly, also. Not every storyline calls for an aggressive tone and pace though, and this one did okay at a plod. I do wish there had been more evidence connecting the information given with the resolution, however. I was very surprised at the end, but in the wtf kind of way! I still enjoyed this one.
Rating: 💒💒💒 / 5 weddings
Recommend? Yes
Finished: March 26 2023
Read this if you like:
💜 Mary Kubica
🏚 Real estate design
🤷♀️ Mystery thrillers
May 11, 2023
Mmm no thank you. This was poorly plotted, had amateur writing, zero interesting characters (except maybe Doreen) and no surprises. If you have read any thriller in the past decade, you’ll know exactly what’s happening from the beginning.
The story follows Erika who is the assistant to a reality show couple Robert and Holly who are building an eco friendly house for a renovation show competition. Robert appears at Erika’s place the night after his wedding telling her he and Holly are going away for a surprise honeymoon she’s confused and worried but expects they’ll be back soon. When they both don’t return Erika starts to suspect something may not be right.
There’s so many extraneous problems - Erika’s ex, drama with the cop, Holly’s mother. I wish this had been pared down and gone deeper. We are never really told why their plans go in this direction with Erika but I frankly just didn’t care by the end.
The story follows Erika who is the assistant to a reality show couple Robert and Holly who are building an eco friendly house for a renovation show competition. Robert appears at Erika’s place the night after his wedding telling her he and Holly are going away for a surprise honeymoon she’s confused and worried but expects they’ll be back soon. When they both don’t return Erika starts to suspect something may not be right.
There’s so many extraneous problems - Erika’s ex, drama with the cop, Holly’s mother. I wish this had been pared down and gone deeper. We are never really told why their plans go in this direction with Erika but I frankly just didn’t care by the end.
March 2, 2023
I should have DNF.
June 11, 2023
3⭐
…the bullet points
- light mystery with light suspense
- somewhat thrilling moments
- home renovation/reality tv contest
- multiple POVs
The great narration made this a breeze to listen to and I even stayed in the story fairly well. But…taken as a whole, it didn’t really wow me in any way. It was both fairly predictable and easily forgettable and eventually the whole premise sort of went off the rails.
…about the narration
🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️/5
- Vivienne Leheny, Caitlin Davies, Megan Tusing & Jaime Renell were all excellent.
...the score (out of 10)
- 5.50/10
- Opening ￫ 6.5
- Characters ￫ 6
- Plot ￫ 5
- Atmosphere ￫ 6
- Writing Style ￫ 6
- Ending ￫ 4
- Overall Enjoyment ￫ 5
…the bullet points
- light mystery with light suspense
- somewhat thrilling moments
- home renovation/reality tv contest
- multiple POVs
The great narration made this a breeze to listen to and I even stayed in the story fairly well. But…taken as a whole, it didn’t really wow me in any way. It was both fairly predictable and easily forgettable and eventually the whole premise sort of went off the rails.
…about the narration
🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️/5
- Vivienne Leheny, Caitlin Davies, Megan Tusing & Jaime Renell were all excellent.
...the score (out of 10)
- 5.50/10
- Opening ￫ 6.5
- Characters ￫ 6
- Plot ￫ 5
- Atmosphere ￫ 6
- Writing Style ￫ 6
- Ending ￫ 4
- Overall Enjoyment ￫ 5
April 20, 2023
3 stars....
This was a quick read, but unfortunately fell a little flat for me....
I think the title threw me off; I went in thinking it would be able a couple in their new fixer upper, entertaining guests, someone gets murdered/disappeared/etc..... however, the "We love to enterain" was more toward the TV show? Idk, it was a creative plot, but I overall was just left with a blahh feeling.
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted review copy, in exchange for an honest review - out 4/25.
This was a quick read, but unfortunately fell a little flat for me....
I think the title threw me off; I went in thinking it would be able a couple in their new fixer upper, entertaining guests, someone gets murdered/disappeared/etc..... however, the "We love to enterain" was more toward the TV show? Idk, it was a creative plot, but I overall was just left with a blahh feeling.
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted review copy, in exchange for an honest review - out 4/25.
January 22, 2023
This one kind of has it all. Mystery, the concept of a contest about home improvement on tv, small town vibes, social media links, family dynamics and of course, Strohmeyer’s sense of humor. A slow burn turns into a fast paced ending that left me satisfied like a fat cat. Many thanks to the author for this early copy for review.
April 30, 2023
3.25 Rounded down
This was a wild ride. Many of the twists felt obvious. Still this was enjoyable and I'd read another novel by this author
This was a wild ride. Many of the twists felt obvious. Still this was enjoyable and I'd read another novel by this author
December 23, 2023
This was absolutely painful to get through. Started out with some potential but just didn't go anywhere. It felt like I was reading the same chapter over and over again. Ugh
May 7, 2023
We Love To Entertain by Sarah Strohmeyer
9h 10m narrated by Vivienne Leheny, Caitlin Davies, Megan Tusing, Jamie Renell, 368 pages
Genre: Thriller > Mystery Thriller; Mystery, Suspense, Adult Fiction
Featuring: Abduction, Small-Town Vermont, Multiple POVs, HGTV, Home Renovation Show, Contest, Assistant, Wedding, Social Media, Police Investigation
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "Seasons Change" by Exposé
My rating:
My thoughts:📱 6% 34:43 Two: Kim - I just knew I had made a mistake reading this at night when the Prologue started, but it was quickly followed by obnoxious MCs (they're going to die, right?) and now I don't know what to think but I'll find out tomorrow.
📱31% 2:47:52 Ten: Erika - I finally made my way back to this one and decided to start over using the ebook preview. While that helps tremendously, I find the story dull despite my new clarity of the characters. Everyone seems to be making poor choices, and I hate that.
📱82% 7:31:03 between chapters 29 & 30 TMB: Love Among the Actual Ruins - I would just like to say if you are struggling with this book this is the point you need to get to for the tides of the prologue to return.
It was okay. Not predictable, but it was pretty obvious who was in the prologue early on, so you're mostly waiting for that to happen. I think prologues are very important to the story, but this one is definitely skippable; however, without it, the interest level is low.
Recommend to others: Meh. I see some readers enjoying this, but I would be skeptical of anyone giving it 5-stars.
9h 10m narrated by Vivienne Leheny, Caitlin Davies, Megan Tusing, Jamie Renell, 368 pages
Genre: Thriller > Mystery Thriller; Mystery, Suspense, Adult Fiction
Featuring: Abduction, Small-Town Vermont, Multiple POVs, HGTV, Home Renovation Show, Contest, Assistant, Wedding, Social Media, Police Investigation
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "Seasons Change" by Exposé
My rating:
My thoughts:📱 6% 34:43 Two: Kim - I just knew I had made a mistake reading this at night when the Prologue started, but it was quickly followed by obnoxious MCs (they're going to die, right?) and now I don't know what to think but I'll find out tomorrow.
📱31% 2:47:52 Ten: Erika - I finally made my way back to this one and decided to start over using the ebook preview. While that helps tremendously, I find the story dull despite my new clarity of the characters. Everyone seems to be making poor choices, and I hate that.
📱82% 7:31:03 between chapters 29 & 30 TMB: Love Among the Actual Ruins - I would just like to say if you are struggling with this book this is the point you need to get to for the tides of the prologue to return.
It was okay. Not predictable, but it was pretty obvious who was in the prologue early on, so you're mostly waiting for that to happen. I think prologues are very important to the story, but this one is definitely skippable; however, without it, the interest level is low.
Recommend to others: Meh. I see some readers enjoying this, but I would be skeptical of anyone giving it 5-stars.
August 24, 2023
Holly and Robert Barron are young real estate investors and contestants in a competition, run but the nation's most popular home renovation app. They're rehabbing a home they scored at a steal. Hours after their picture-perfect wedding, they go missing, leaving a bloody trail.
We Love to Entertain was a fast read but it wasn't my favorite or the most entertaining. It lacked any surprises I enjoy in a thriller and unfortunately it wasn't very thrilling. Without any surprises or thrills, this one may even be forgettable. Overall, it was an OK read and it didn't make me DNF it so... there's that. As always, if you have been on the fence about reading this one, give it a try, just because it was a miss for me, doesn't mean it won't be a hit for you.
Happy reading
We Love to Entertain was a fast read but it wasn't my favorite or the most entertaining. It lacked any surprises I enjoy in a thriller and unfortunately it wasn't very thrilling. Without any surprises or thrills, this one may even be forgettable. Overall, it was an OK read and it didn't make me DNF it so... there's that. As always, if you have been on the fence about reading this one, give it a try, just because it was a miss for me, doesn't mean it won't be a hit for you.
Happy reading
April 17, 2023
We Love to Entertain by Sarah Strohmeyer. Thanks to @harperpaperbacks and the author for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Holly and Robert are making the house of their dreams on a renovation reality show. Their assistant, Erica, is from the town their new home is in and has some secrets of her own. When Holly and Robert go missing, the town looks to the past.
There were a few reasons I really enjoyed this one. First, the reality tv aspect. This is a trope I will love within any genre, especially when there’s fan stuff like the Reddit sub threads in this one! Two, the home improvement details. Is there anything more fun reading about design specifics and then looking up pictures to try to envision it? Three, the real estate aspect. Yes, parts of this could be a bit dull but I hear my husband talk about his deals all the time and the tax-lein and auction stuff so it was fun for me to read about it in a thriller. The story itself was unique and I had to find out how it ended!
We Love to Entertain comes out 4/25.
Holly and Robert are making the house of their dreams on a renovation reality show. Their assistant, Erica, is from the town their new home is in and has some secrets of her own. When Holly and Robert go missing, the town looks to the past.
There were a few reasons I really enjoyed this one. First, the reality tv aspect. This is a trope I will love within any genre, especially when there’s fan stuff like the Reddit sub threads in this one! Two, the home improvement details. Is there anything more fun reading about design specifics and then looking up pictures to try to envision it? Three, the real estate aspect. Yes, parts of this could be a bit dull but I hear my husband talk about his deals all the time and the tax-lein and auction stuff so it was fun for me to read about it in a thriller. The story itself was unique and I had to find out how it ended!
We Love to Entertain comes out 4/25.
March 6, 2024
Unfortunately, this one didn’t live up to the hype for me, but I am going to try and read a few more of her books before I make any kind of judgement on whether or not I like this author’s work.
February 15, 2023
5 things I love about my human…
1. He leaves the room to fart.
2. He picks up the dog poop
3. He has sat through countless hours of the housewives.
4. He barely complains when I forget to feed him.
5. He does his own laundry.
Happy Valentines Day to those who celebrate and cheers to those who don’t!
I promised Craig, I would give him my undivided attention without a book in my hand tonight…
What he doesn’t know is that I put melatonin in his beer 🤫
We Love To Entertain
This is the book I cuddled up to on Valentines Day and I don’t have a single regret . I was looking to get my pulse racing one way or another and this book delivered !
The suspense kept me going and I was invested in figuring out where Holly and Robert disappeared to. A few times I thought I had it figured out but I was wrong each time .
This book kept me on my toes and completely consumed from start to finish . This is one you don’t want to miss! Due out April 25, 2023 ! I strongly suggest you pre-order!
Teaser :
Holly and Robert Barron are attractive young real-estate investors and contestants in a competition run by To the Manor Build, the nation’s most popular home renovation app. With millions in product endorsements and online followers at stake, they’re rehabbing a Vermont home they scored at a bargain price into a chic hilltop estate ideal for entertaining.
It’s all camera-ready laughs and debates over herringbone tile until Holly and Robert go missing hours after their picture-perfect wedding—leaving behind a bloody trail.
Suspicion falls quickly on Erika Turnbull, the Barrons’ twenty-something assistant—eager, efficient, and secretly in love with Robert. Did Erika let her misguided passion turn her into a murderer? So claim the townsfolk of Snowden, Vermont, who still haven’t forgiven her for a tragic accident back in high school.
But Erika’s mother, Kim, is not about to let small-town gossip and a cop with an axe to grind destroy her daughter—again. With time running out and their own lives at risk, the mother-daughter duo set out to find what really happened to the Barrons. First, though, they’ll have to confront the vengeful former owner of Holly and Robert’s estate, ruthless reality-show producers, and a secret that might bring their own house down.
1. He leaves the room to fart.
2. He picks up the dog poop
3. He has sat through countless hours of the housewives.
4. He barely complains when I forget to feed him.
5. He does his own laundry.
Happy Valentines Day to those who celebrate and cheers to those who don’t!
I promised Craig, I would give him my undivided attention without a book in my hand tonight…
What he doesn’t know is that I put melatonin in his beer 🤫
We Love To Entertain
This is the book I cuddled up to on Valentines Day and I don’t have a single regret . I was looking to get my pulse racing one way or another and this book delivered !
The suspense kept me going and I was invested in figuring out where Holly and Robert disappeared to. A few times I thought I had it figured out but I was wrong each time .
This book kept me on my toes and completely consumed from start to finish . This is one you don’t want to miss! Due out April 25, 2023 ! I strongly suggest you pre-order!
Teaser :
Holly and Robert Barron are attractive young real-estate investors and contestants in a competition run by To the Manor Build, the nation’s most popular home renovation app. With millions in product endorsements and online followers at stake, they’re rehabbing a Vermont home they scored at a bargain price into a chic hilltop estate ideal for entertaining.
It’s all camera-ready laughs and debates over herringbone tile until Holly and Robert go missing hours after their picture-perfect wedding—leaving behind a bloody trail.
Suspicion falls quickly on Erika Turnbull, the Barrons’ twenty-something assistant—eager, efficient, and secretly in love with Robert. Did Erika let her misguided passion turn her into a murderer? So claim the townsfolk of Snowden, Vermont, who still haven’t forgiven her for a tragic accident back in high school.
But Erika’s mother, Kim, is not about to let small-town gossip and a cop with an axe to grind destroy her daughter—again. With time running out and their own lives at risk, the mother-daughter duo set out to find what really happened to the Barrons. First, though, they’ll have to confront the vengeful former owner of Holly and Robert’s estate, ruthless reality-show producers, and a secret that might bring their own house down.
March 5, 2023
I only finished this book because I wanted to see how ridiculous it could get and I was not proven wrong. I'm sorry, but this book was terrible. My issues:
--Every character, whether they are from Florida or Vermont, talks like a local yokel country bumpkin. The word "fetch" instead of "get" was used nine times.
--The characters make ridiculous choices. Find a set of bloody pajamas in your trash? Put them in the freezer and go to bed. Get shot at in your own backyard? Just go to bed and maybe call the police the next day.
--The blog posts were terribly written and full of gender stereotypes about man caves and women needing extra closet space for shoes.
--Why were Erika's chapters written in the third person, but Kim's chapters written in first person?
--Erika and Holly were both very immature for characters in their late twenties.
--The overall writing style was very choppy, full of cliches, and suffers from over descriptions of even the most mundane tasks and objects.
--The title really didn't have anything to do with the book.
Definitely not for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
--Every character, whether they are from Florida or Vermont, talks like a local yokel country bumpkin. The word "fetch" instead of "get" was used nine times.
--The characters make ridiculous choices. Find a set of bloody pajamas in your trash? Put them in the freezer and go to bed. Get shot at in your own backyard? Just go to bed and maybe call the police the next day.
--The blog posts were terribly written and full of gender stereotypes about man caves and women needing extra closet space for shoes.
--Why were Erika's chapters written in the third person, but Kim's chapters written in first person?
--Erika and Holly were both very immature for characters in their late twenties.
--The overall writing style was very choppy, full of cliches, and suffers from over descriptions of even the most mundane tasks and objects.
--The title really didn't have anything to do with the book.
Definitely not for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2025
Holly and Robert Barron are real-estate investors and contestants in a competition on
~To the Manor Build.
It’s a popular home renovations app. Hours after their wedding Holly & Robert go missing.
Unfortunately, I DNF the book, I just could not get into it, I tried several times. I didn’t enjoy reading comments posted on the app/interviews and reddit, I didn’t realize the book would be hard to follow and keep my interest. 🤷 The plot sounded like something that I normally love.
~To the Manor Build.
It’s a popular home renovations app. Hours after their wedding Holly & Robert go missing.
Unfortunately, I DNF the book, I just could not get into it, I tried several times. I didn’t enjoy reading comments posted on the app/interviews and reddit, I didn’t realize the book would be hard to follow and keep my interest. 🤷 The plot sounded like something that I normally love.
August 3, 2023
WE LOVE TO ENTERTAIN
Sarah Strohmeyer
This was ok, not great, but not bad. It seemed a little long, and a bit unbelievable.
3 stars
Happy Reading!
Sarah Strohmeyer
This was ok, not great, but not bad. It seemed a little long, and a bit unbelievable.
3 stars
Happy Reading!
August 10, 2023
Holly and Robert Barron are attractive young real-estate investors and contestants in a competition run by To the Manor Build, the nation’s most popular home renovation app. With millions in product endorsements and online followers at stake, they are rehabbing a Vermont home they scored at a bargain price into a chic hilltop estate ideal for entertaining.
It is all camera-ready laughs and debates over herringbone tile until Holly and Robert go missing hours after their picture-perfect wedding—leaving behind a bloody trail. Suspicion falls quickly on Erika Turnbull, the Barrons’ twenty-something assistant—eager, efficient, and secretly in love with Robert. Did Erika let her misguided passion turn her into a murderer? So claim the townsfolk of Snowden, Vermont, who still haven’t forgiven her for a tragic accident back in high school.
But Erika’s mother, Kim, is not about to let small-town gossip and a cop with an axe to grind destroy her daughter—again. With time running out and their own lives at risk, the mother-daughter duo set out to find what really happened to the Barrons. First, though, they will have to confront the vengeful former owner of Holly and Robert’s estate, ruthless reality-show producers, and a secret that might bring their own house down.
I am a sucker for reality TV and I also like that it is a trope in books. This was a really unique storyline and setting. I really did like reading about all the home improvement details, and the interview/chat aspects of the book. But I did not like any of the characters, and none of them were relatable. The plot also had multiple holes. Many plot points were left unexplained. It just did not make sense to include these points in the plot, if it was not going to be explained. I was not really shocked by the ending of this one but I still think it is good. The ending also felt a little rushed, but overall it was fast-paced enough that I never felt truly bored. Overall, I think this book would appeal to many readers — especially those with an interest in home decorations, renovations, or a sucker for reality TV shows.
It is all camera-ready laughs and debates over herringbone tile until Holly and Robert go missing hours after their picture-perfect wedding—leaving behind a bloody trail. Suspicion falls quickly on Erika Turnbull, the Barrons’ twenty-something assistant—eager, efficient, and secretly in love with Robert. Did Erika let her misguided passion turn her into a murderer? So claim the townsfolk of Snowden, Vermont, who still haven’t forgiven her for a tragic accident back in high school.
But Erika’s mother, Kim, is not about to let small-town gossip and a cop with an axe to grind destroy her daughter—again. With time running out and their own lives at risk, the mother-daughter duo set out to find what really happened to the Barrons. First, though, they will have to confront the vengeful former owner of Holly and Robert’s estate, ruthless reality-show producers, and a secret that might bring their own house down.
I am a sucker for reality TV and I also like that it is a trope in books. This was a really unique storyline and setting. I really did like reading about all the home improvement details, and the interview/chat aspects of the book. But I did not like any of the characters, and none of them were relatable. The plot also had multiple holes. Many plot points were left unexplained. It just did not make sense to include these points in the plot, if it was not going to be explained. I was not really shocked by the ending of this one but I still think it is good. The ending also felt a little rushed, but overall it was fast-paced enough that I never felt truly bored. Overall, I think this book would appeal to many readers — especially those with an interest in home decorations, renovations, or a sucker for reality TV shows.
April 23, 2023
A great story that gets a bit into the behind the scenes of a home competition show and how it’s all a hit staged. Also, are those people always who they portray them to be. I liked the dynamic between Erika and her mom, Kim but the comedic relief is with Kim’s assistant, Doreen.
A highly entertaining thriller that has its share of twists and turns.
A highly entertaining thriller that has its share of twists and turns.
April 22, 2024
A psychological, popcorn thriller that keeps you questioning, what the heck is going on.
Holly & Robert enter a home Reno show together in competition with two other rehabbers, but as the renovations continue and the winning stakes get higher….things start to get creepy.
+ Missing Persons
+ Mysterious Antagonist
+ Villainous Victim
Holly & Robert enter a home Reno show together in competition with two other rehabbers, but as the renovations continue and the winning stakes get higher….things start to get creepy.
+ Missing Persons
+ Mysterious Antagonist
+ Villainous Victim
January 8, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.
It's been quite a few...decades(?) since I read a Strohmeyer book, namely her Bubbles series. I recall those being cozy and a little silly, and I was surprised that this trend continues in the latest novel. This just isn't my genre. I prefer a bit more meat to my mysteries. This was about an assistant whose rich bosses end up missing after designing a new home build that is going to be on a reality TV competition show. The couple's personalities were grating, and the other main characters should have communicated earlier in the story. The ending wrapped up very quickly.
It's been quite a few...decades(?) since I read a Strohmeyer book, namely her Bubbles series. I recall those being cozy and a little silly, and I was surprised that this trend continues in the latest novel. This just isn't my genre. I prefer a bit more meat to my mysteries. This was about an assistant whose rich bosses end up missing after designing a new home build that is going to be on a reality TV competition show. The couple's personalities were grating, and the other main characters should have communicated earlier in the story. The ending wrapped up very quickly.
May 7, 2023
1.5 stars.
I read this book as someone who enjoys both thrillers and home renovation shows. I finished it feeling as though it were lacking in both.
Erika has been "having a hard time", so she's back to living with her mom in a small town in Vermont. But don't worry, because on a total chance, she's landed this fabulous job as an assistant to a couple who are currently competing on an HGTV-style home renovation competition show which is just about to wrap up - after her bosses have a fabulous, widely televised wedding. Which totally isn't upsetting to her, a person who moved back with her mom after breaking up with her boyfriend - who seems to both be described as having a serious impact on her, while also being a short-lived fling?
All in all, I found Erika and her mother, Kim, totally delusional. Erika is obsessively in love with her boss, which she believes she's hidden from everyone (while being televised) AND she harbors the belief/hope that he will abandon his wife-to-be to run away with her. Kim believes that she knows better than everyone else, even though . Also, they just so happen to have a code phrase in case one of them gets kidnapped "or something"? What a crazy, random happenstance.
I've really chopped it down here to my key points of dislike/disinterest. What I did like? Doreen. She was fairly multi-dimensional for such a small character. I vote for more Doreen and less naivete.
I read this book as someone who enjoys both thrillers and home renovation shows. I finished it feeling as though it were lacking in both.
Erika has been "having a hard time", so she's back to living with her mom in a small town in Vermont. But don't worry, because on a total chance, she's landed this fabulous job as an assistant to a couple who are currently competing on an HGTV-style home renovation competition show which is just about to wrap up - after her bosses have a fabulous, widely televised wedding. Which totally isn't upsetting to her, a person who moved back with her mom after breaking up with her boyfriend - who seems to both be described as having a serious impact on her, while also being a short-lived fling?
All in all, I found Erika and her mother, Kim, totally delusional. Erika is obsessively in love with her boss, which she believes she's hidden from everyone (while being televised) AND she harbors the belief/hope that he will abandon his wife-to-be to run away with her. Kim believes that she knows better than everyone else, even though . Also, they just so happen to have a code phrase in case one of them gets kidnapped "or something"? What a crazy, random happenstance.
I've really chopped it down here to my key points of dislike/disinterest. What I did like? Doreen. She was fairly multi-dimensional for such a small character. I vote for more Doreen and less naivete.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews